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Mum of missing girl had 'satanic poster'

SYDNEY Nov 5 AAP - A case worker for a NSW toddler who disappeared says she was not concerned about the mother's interest in witchcraft or her "satanic poster".

Community services made three visits to the girl's home in the months before she was last seen, an inquest into the disappearance of Leonie Hutchinson was told on Monday.

Leonie has not been seen since December 2001, but police did not realise she was missing until nearly three years later.

The NSW Department of Community and Family Services was alerted in July 2001 by a report that Leonie, who lived with her mother Kate in Scone, in the Hunter Valley, and was nearing her second birthday, could be at risk of harm.

They were satisfied by what they found on their visits and closed the case at the end of that year.

It was only when community services staff were called to Ms Hutchinson's home on another matter in 2004 that they realised Leonie was no longer there.

Michelle Hanlon, a friend of Ms Hutchinson, said in her statement to the coroner that she had "a bad feeling" about what had happened to Leonie, the hearing at Parramatta Local Court was told on Monday.

Case worker Christine Anderson visited Ms Hutchinson's home on August 1, 2001, shortly after a risk of harm report was made.

Asked by Warwick Hunt, counsel assisting the inquiry, if she had been concerned by Ms Hutchinson's interests in witchcraft and the fact she had a "satanic poster", Ms Anderson said she had not.

"From what I observed of Kate's interaction with Leonie, and my observation of Leonie, Leonie's needs were being met," she said.

Ms Anderson returned eight days later with mental health workers who interviewed Ms Hutchinson and went back again with her supervisor for a second opinion on August 15.

The case was closed as they did not believe Leonie was at risk.

Wendy Wilson, who was Ms Anderson's line manager, said when asked if it would have been "prudent" to arrange further home visits: "With hindsight, we could have kept it open for another two years."

Ms Wilson became aware in October 2003 that Ms Hutchinson was being evasive about Leonie's whereabouts. It was not until the following January when she visited the Scone home that the department realised Leonie was not there.

When asked about Leonie, her mother became "erratic and irrational", said Ms Wilson.

Ms Hutchinson would only say, "Leonie's safe," she told the inquest.

She has subsequently refused to reveal where her daughter is or who she is with.